Carteret Adds 4 Hybrid Vehicles To Police Fleet

CARTERET — Four hybrid vehicles have been added to the Carteret Police Department’s fleet, according to Mayor Daniel J. Reiman and Police Commissioner and Councilman Skippy Sitarz.

The 2010 Ford Escapes have been outfitted for police patrols, according to Patrol Division Commander Dennis McFadden. All four will be leased from the Middlesex County City Improvement Authority for three years, after which time they will be purchased by the borough for $1.

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The vehicles are being used in place of conventional 8-cylinder Crown Victorias, and will allow for an expected annual savings of $5,080 in fuel consumption per year, or $20,000 total for all four hybrids. This estimate does not include fuel consumed while idling during police stops, which will be virtually negligible for the hybrid cars. The Ford hybrid Escape gasoline engine only turns on after the car exceeds 25MPH. While in idle the car will operate by running off of the battery pack.

The acquisitions are a part of the town’s continuing agenda for implementing green technology within the borough’s facilities and resources, according to Reiman. In 2007, Carteret applied for and received an $8,000 rebate for the purchase of two construction code enforcement vehicles, both hybrids, through the NJBPU Office of Clean Energy’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program. The NJBPU also provided approximately $33,000 towards an energy efficiency audit of municipal facilities, allowing for “green” retrofitting.

“Congestion mitigation and air quality improvement are major concerns in any area,” Reiman said. “As a part of our efforts towards improving local government, we have made energy efficiency a priority. With the acquisition of these new hybrid police vehicles and active participation in many NJBPU initiatives, we are doing our part and beyond in contributing to a cleaner New Jersey and more cost-effective government. These vehicles will save tens of thousands of dollars over their usable lifespan.”